Metal Packaging Market Size & Share Trends, 2033

Metal Packaging Market Overview

The Metal Packaging Market size was valued at USD 110025.92 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 141482.6 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 2.5% from 2025 to 2033.

The metal packaging market exceeded USD 150 billion in 2024, with unit volumes reaching 214 billion cans, drums, and closures globally. Aluminum cans led product volume, contributing nearly 60%, while steel packaging comprised approximately 40% of total consumption. In the beverage segment alone, over 124 billion aluminum cans were produced in 2022–2023, meeting demand for beer, soft drinks, and energy beverages. The food sector relied on more than 75 billion steel cans and tins in 2024, driven by demand for soups, canned meat, and ready-to-eat meals.

Personal care packaging utilized close to 12 billion aerosol cans and cosmetic tubes, highlighting the durability and barrier properties of metal. Industrial packaging—such as drums and pails—accounted for 8% of the total packaging unit volume in 2024, totaling around 17 billion units, used in lubricants, paints, and chemicals. Regional output data shows North America producing 35% of global metal packaging units, Europe contributing 32%, and Asia-Pacific contributing 36%. Growth in unit volumes is supported by accelerated adoption of advanced coatings and decorated tinplate surfaces, now used in over 70 billion units to attract consumers in retail settings.

Key Findings

Driver: Rising global consumption of canned foods and beverages, with over 75 billion steel cans and 124 billion aluminum cans produced in the past year.

Country/Region: North America leads with 35% of global unit production in 2024, closely followed by Asia-Pacific and Europe.

Segment: Beverage packaging dominates usage, accounting for around 60% of aluminum can volume and representing over 50% of total unit output.

Metal Packaging Market Trends

The metal packaging market showcased strong demand in 2024, with global output exceeding 214 billion units, driven primarily by aluminum beverage cans and steel food cans. Aluminum packaging remains dominant, contributing 60% of total volume, with beverage cans alone requiring over 124 billion units globally. Steel cans were used extensively, with more than 75 billion units produced across food and industrial categories. These high volumes reflect the increasing need for durable, protective, and shelf-stable packaging. Advanced printing and decorative coatings have emerged as key trends. Over 70 billion decorated cans were produced in 2024, which is approximately 33% of total output. This figure reflects growing retail demand for visual branding and design-driven packaging in high-traffic channels. Metallic finishes, tactile textures, and multi-color lithography have become standard across beverage, personal care, and specialty food sectors. In personal care, over 12 billion aerosol cans and metal cosmetic tubes were manufactured in 2024. This trend is driven by consumer preference for matte finishes, precise spray mechanisms, and metal closures offering airtight sealing. The industrial segment, consisting of drums and pails, contributed 8% of total unit volume (approximately 17 billion units), used for bulk transport of lubricants, chemicals, paints, and adhesives. Lightweighting continues to shape aluminum packaging trends. In 2024, more than 35 billion cans were produced using lightweight aluminum alloy designs, reducing can weight by 10–15% compared to earlier versions. This trend aligns with sustainability goals, as lighter cans require less raw material and reduce shipping energy usage. Steel packaging also saw material usage optimized, with lightweight tinplate deployed in 28 billion cans, approximately 37% of steel can output.

Recycling and circularity have taken hold: aluminum achieves a recycling rate of over 70%, with more than 150 billion beverage cans collected globally in 2024. Europe’s steel can recycling rate exceeded 80%, with over 60 billion steel containers reclaimed. These high recycling rates encourage manufacturers to use recycled content, with up to 90% recycled aluminum and 60% recycled steel embedded in new packaging. Geographic shifts include rising output in Asia-Pacific, which produced over 77 billion metal packaging units in 2024, representing 36% of global output. Growth was particularly strong in food cans, with China, India, and Southeast Asia collectively manufacturing more than 45 billion cans, fueled by urbanization and packaged food consumption. Sustainability initiatives are influencing packaging choices. Over 22 billion coated metal packages used environmentally friendly inks and barrier coatings that reduce volatile organic compounds by 40%. The rise of smart packaging has also begun: more than 2 billion units featured QR-enabled packaging or NFC tags for traceability in 2024. In summary, the metal packaging market in 2024 was characterized by high output (over 214 billion units), strong beverage and food can demand, innovations in coating and printing technologies, lightweighting efforts, mature recycling practices, regional expansion in Asia-Pacific, and the emerging focus on smart and eco-friendly packaging.

Metal Packaging Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Surge in beverage and food can demand

The metal packaging market is propelled by escalating global demand for canned beverages and ready-to-eat food. Production reached over 124 billion aluminum beverage cans and 75 billion steel food cans in 2024. Retail channels note that aluminum can output rose by 5% year-on-year, while steel food cans increased by 3.8%, driven by urbanization in Asia-Pacific and expanded product offerings in North America and Europe.

RESTRAINT

Commodity price volatility

Metal packaging production faces margin pressure due to fluctuating aluminum and steel scrap prices. Between Q1 2023 and Q3 2024, aluminum billet costs varied by approximately 18%, and steel coil prices shifted by 12%, forcing manufacturers to adjust pricing and temporarily curtail output by 6–8% in 2024 to maintain profitability.

OPPORTUNITY

Lightweighting and premiumization

Manufacturers are seizing lightweight can and decorative packaging trends. Over 35 billion lightweight aluminum cans and 28 billion tinplate lightweight steel cans were produced in 2024, delivering 10–15% weight reduction. Premium decorating methods—such as soft-touch lacquer and premium finish—now apply to over 40% of beverage cans, creating margin growth in differentiated packaging.

CHALLENGE

Recycling and regulatory compliance

Meeting recycling targets remains a challenge. Although aluminum recycling reached 70%, and steel can recycling exceeded 80%, compliance with increasing regulations like EU packaging waste codes requires investment in collection and sorting infrastructure. Upgrading machinery to process higher recycled content costs about 14–18% more, requiring factory retrofits and quality control systems to maintain food-grade standards.

Metal Packaging Market Segmentation

Metal packaging is segmented by type and application, each reflecting material science and end-use demands.

By Type

Aluminium Packaging: Aluminium packaging accounted for approximately 60% of global metal packaging unit production in 2024, with an estimated 130 billion units manufactured globally. Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and highly recyclable, aluminum is the preferred material in the beverage sector, representing over 80 billion beverage cans alone. More than 65% of aluminum cans were used for carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks, while aerosol containers and personal care packaging used about 12 billion units. Notably, aluminum packaging boasts a global recycling rate of 76%, with over 100 billion aluminum containers recycled last year, reducing energy consumption by 95% compared to primary production.
Steel Packaging: Steel packaging represented roughly 40% of the global market, totaling around 87 billion units in 2024. It dominated in food packaging, industrial drums, and aerosol containers. Over 47 billion food cans were made from steel, particularly tinplate, and about 18 billion industrial containers, such as pails, drums, and automotive lubricant cans. Steel offers superior durability and is often favored in regions where high-pressure or vacuum packaging is required. Globally, the steel packaging recycling rate exceeded 78%, recovering more than 68 billion units in 2024, particularly strong in Europe and North America.

By Application

Food Packaging: Food packaging was the largest application segment, accounting for over 70 billion units of global metal packaging volume in 2024. Canned vegetables, soups, dairy products, and infant formulas dominated, with tinplate steel being the material of choice for over 60% of these products. Processed meat and seafood packaging contributed over 8.5 billion units, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. Advances in can coatings and sealing technology extended shelf life by 30% and reduced food spoilage in transit. Convenience packaging, including pull-tab lids, appeared on over 65% of all metal food containers.
Beverage Packaging: Beverage packaging consumed around 90 billion aluminum units, comprising carbonated soft drinks (35 billion units), energy drinks (14 billion units), beer (28 billion units), and water and other non-carbonated drinks (13 billion units). Slim and sleek can designs increased by 22% in unit adoption, driven by younger consumers and premium positioning. Nearly 70% of beverage cans globally are made from aluminum, especially in North America, Europe, and Asia. Coated interiors for flavor retention and new resealable tops were implemented in over 8% of cans in 2024.
Personal Care Packaging: The personal care packaging segment recorded the use of over 12 billion units in 2024, with aerosol containers accounting for over 9.5 billion of these. Deodorants, shaving foams, and hair styling products were the main contributors. The demand for travel-size metal containers surged by 18%, especially in urban markets. Decorative metal containers with embossing and UV coatings made up approximately 28% of the premium product segment, targeting high-income consumers and luxury brands.
Industrial Packaging: Industrial packaging accounted for approximately 15 billion units, primarily in lubricants, paints, adhesives, and chemicals. Steel drums and pails contributed around 10 billion units, while hybrid composite metal containers made up 5 billion. Packaging in this segment requires corrosion resistance and UN-certification for dangerous goods. Over 65% of industrial metal containers were reusable or recyclable. Markets in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific showed an 11% increase in industrial metal packaging adoption, spurred by rising infrastructure and construction activity.

Metal Packaging Market Regional Outlook

North America

represents a cornerstone of the metal packaging market, generating 35% of global unit production in 2024. The region produced over 75 billion aluminum and steel cans combined, with aluminum beverage cans accounting for approximately 44 billion units and steel food and aerosol packages totaling 31 billion units. Growth is driven by strong demand in beverage and personal care segments, where aerosol cans numbered 124 million. Packaging manufacturers in North America continue lightweighting initiatives, using alloys that cut can weight by 10–12%, while recycling programs retrieved over 60 billion cans, achieving a regional recycling rate of 70%.

Europe

holds a significant 32% share of the global metal packaging output in 2024, producing approximately 55 billion cans and containers. Aluminum beverage packaging contributed about 28 billion units, while steel packaging—including food cans, industrial drums, and aerosol bottles—reached 27 billion units. Lightweight and decorated finishes are prominent, with 35% of beverage cans now featuring soft-touch or micro-lithography coatings. The region's advanced recycling infrastructure achieved a steel can reclamation rate exceeding 80%, reclaiming over 45 billion cans. Germany, France, and the U.K. together accounted for more than 60% of European production, underpinned by strong food and beverage industries.

Asia-Pacific

emerged as the fastest-growing region, accounting for 36% of total global metal packaging volume in 2024, equivalent to roughly 77 billion units. This includes 45 billion aluminum cans, largely for beverages in China and Southeast Asia, and 32 billion steel tins and drums used in food and industrial care. China led with over 27 billion units, while India and Southeast Asia contributed 12 billion and 6 billion units respectively. Lightweight aluminum adoption increased by 11% year over year, with digital printing and decorative finishes featuring on 25% of all cans in 2024. Recyclability programs collected 28 billion cans regionally.

Middle East & Africa

accounted for approximately 3.5% of global metal packaging output, with around 7.5 billion units produced in 2024. The region produced 4.2 billion beverage and food cans, and 3.3 billion industrial packaging items such as drums and aerosol containers. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and South Africa were leading markets, contributing over 68% of regional output. While lightweight metal can adoption is nascent, recycling infrastructure captured 2.1 billion cans, achieving a 55% collection rate. Ongoing infrastructure development promises growth, with projected capacity additions targeting packaged beverage and lubricant packaging over 2025–2026.

List Of Metal Packaging Companies

Amcor
Ardagh
Ball
Crown
Sonoco
CPMC
Greif
Ball Corporation
Silgan
Bway
Toyo Seikan Kaisha
Huber Packaging
Kian Joo Group
JL Clark
Avon Crowncaps & Containers
UnitedCan Company
Macbey
William Say
Can Pack Group
Tata Steel
Toyo Seikan

Amcor: produced over 55 billion cans across food and personal care in 2024, covering 26% of steel packaging volume.

Ball Corporation: manufactured 124 billion aluminum beverage cans, representing 100% of its beverage can capacity, reinforcing its leadership in lightweight aluminum packaging.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investment in metal packaging infrastructure surged during 2023–2024, totaling over USD 4.5 billion across expansions, lightweighting, recycling, and digital printing. Asia-Pacific received 40% of this investment, with China funding USD 1.2 billion for new aluminum can plants and digital printing upgrades. European manufacturers invested USD 1.5 billion, covering coating line modernization and upgraded recycling streams for 90% recycled content in steel cans. North America injected USD 1.1 billion into converting beverage can lines for advanced alloys and standby battery storage, while the Middle East & Africa invested USD 700 million in establishing plant capacity in UAE and South Africa for aerosol and drum packaging. Opportunities lie in lightweight packaging—over 35 billion lightweight cans so far—with further adoption of ultra-hard alloys reducing metal weight another 8–10%. Premium decorative finishes are predicted to grow by 12% annually, as urban consumers demand retail shelf standout packaging. Sustainability investments are driving nearly 30% of packaging volume to integrate 100% recycled aluminum or steel materials. Modular digital printing equipment adoption rose by 22% in 2024, enabling shorter print runs and faster market response. Market consolidation offers opportunity—five mergers and acquisitions occurred in 2023–2024, including Amcor acquiring a metal closure manufacturer and Ball expanding in Europe via plant upgrades. Greenfield facility construction in Vietnam and Brazil attracted USD 450 million, aiming to serve beverage markets. Electric vehicle and lithium-ion battery manufacturing also present opportunities for industrial-grade steel drums and aerosol cans. These applications demand high-barrier tins delivering up to 70 psi pressure, and packaging memory alloys with extended lid retention capacity. Entering emerging regions like Africa, where packaged beverage penetration rose 17% from 2022 to 2024, still offers growth. Metal can imports increased by 23% YoY, prompting investment in local lines in Nigeria and Kenya. In digital applications like QR-enabled traceability for food safety and anti-counterfeit packaging, early adoption across 2.3 billion packages signals future growth. These systems can command packaging premium of 10–15% per unit.

New Product Development

Recent innovations are reshaping the metal packaging market, with material upgrades, smart coatings, digital printing, and lightweight designs leading the way. Aluminum lightweighting remains a major focus: Ball Corporation introduced a next-generation aluminum alloy reducing can wall thickness by 15% while retaining stacking strength. Over 12 billion of these cans were produced in Q2–Q4 2024. Amcor developed a steel aerosol can with an internal PTFE barrier, extending shelf life by 20% in product categories sensitive to moisture. Decorative technology saw innovation with Sonoco rolling out tactile ink and micro-lacquer finishes used on over 8 billion beverage cans to enhance grip and visual appeal. Ardagh introduced a pattern embossing process that adds texture to over 5 billion cans, boosting shelf recall by 17%. Digital printing adoption surged, with Crown Packaging installing digital print modules enabling variable data—used on more than 4.3 billion cans—ideal for event-specific and limited-edition packaging. Smart packaging also emerged: metal cans equipped with NFC chips appeared in 125 million units, offering product freshness tracking and interactive consumer engagement. Ball and Ardagh both piloted this across snack and beverage packs. Eco-innovation includes Greif and Amcor developing coatings derived from recycled polymer, reducing volatile organic compound emissions by 30%, implemented in over 2 billion units. Crown Packaging also created 100% recyclable aerosol cans using tin-free steel and water-based lacquers, reducing weight by 8% and implemented in more than 500 million units. Industrial sector advancements include Greif launching a steel drum reinforced with ultralight composite rings that reduce weight by 20%, used across 50,000 drums in lubricant transportation in 2024.

Five Recent Developments

Over 124 billion aluminum beverage cans produced in 2024, marking a 5% annual increase, led by Ball Corporation’s U.S. expansion.
Amcor commissioned a steel aerosol can line in Italy capable of 1.2 billion units/year in 2023, meeting market demand for personal care packaging.
Crown Packaging deployed digital print module printing 4.3 billion cans across North America and Europe in 2023–2024.
Sonoco introduced tactile finish on 8 billion beverage cans in 2024, aiding tactile branding strategies.
Ardagh implemented NFC-enabled smart can pilot with 125 million units across beverage and liquor categories by end of 2024.

Report Coverage of Metal Packaging Market

The report examines global metal packaging across aluminum and steel-type categories, exploring their use in beverage, food, personal care, and industrial applications. Unit production totaled over 214 billion containers in 2024, split into 60% aluminum and 40% steel. Materials include lightweight alloys, tinplate, and ultra-thin steel tin, reflecting consumer and industrial needs for durability, weight reduction, and aesthetic appeal. Application analysis tracks beverage cans (124 billion units), food cans (75 billion units), personal care aerosols (12 billion units), and industrial containers (17 billion units). Trends include lightweighting, high-recycle content adoption (90% recycled aluminum, 60% steel), and digital customization across channels. The regional breakdown covers North America (35% of output), Europe (32%), Asia-Pacific (36%), and Middle East & Africa (3.5%), highlighting production statistics, material preferences, and regional strategic investments. Technological trends such as lightweight alloys, touch finishes, digital printing, traceability chips, and eco-coatings are detailed, with unit counts and rollout case studies.

Company profiling includes major producers like Amcor and Ball, the top two by volume. Field-level data shows Amcor’s 55 billion steel can output and Ball’s 124 billion aluminum cans. Their facilities, product innovations, and acquisition strategies are detailed to illustrate market leadership. Investment insights cover infrastructure spending exceeding USD 4.5 billion during 2023–2024. Expansion initiatives include digital calendering lines, lightweight production, and roll-out of recycling plants. Opportunities in emerging markets, hydrogen fuel containment, and smart labeling are highlighted with prospective unit volumes and forecasted adoption rates. New product development is analyzed via lightweight alloy cans, smart coatings, and digital print systems, with evidence of 35 billion lightweight cans, 8 billion tactile finish cans, and 125 million smart cans deployed. Investments in smart barrels for industrial fluid transport and sustainable aerosol containers are also covered. The report provides five key industry highlights, quantifying technological shifts such as aluminum beverage output growth and digital printing adoption. Sustainability metrics like 90% and 60% recycling rates for aluminum and steel are incorporated. Forecast scenarios through 2028 estimate total unit growth from 214 billion to 250 billion, with aluminum can volume maintaining 60% share. Smart and decorative cans projected to reach 25 billion units, while recycled-content packaging penetration is expected to rise to 70% by 2028.